Technique Junkies February New Release Blog Hop

Hello All,
Welcome to Karen's blog, Dreaming and Creating.  We are in the midst of the Technique Junkie February New Release Blog Hop.  You should have arrived here from Judy's blog.  

How did you like her fab project!!  Super, wasn't it??!!   If you are just popping in, you may wish to start at the beginning of the hop on the Technique Junkies blog.

 All the designers are highlighting the February New Release!  And to Celebrate, Pat is offering a 15% discount on the February New Releases Feb 1- Feb 8.  Awesome!!

Note: Extra Sale!!!!  All stamps in the Love Category are 15% off Feb 1 - Feb 8.   ---Just in time to make Valentine's Day Cards for those you love.

I am showcasing two new releases: Hang in There and Houndstooth Check.  I also added a sensational sentiment to tickle your funny bone.  And, used a background technique.

Materials List:

Stamps: Houndstooth Check, Hang in There, and Living on the Edge all from Technique Junkies Stamps

Technique Junkies CD Artistic Effects

Ink: Onyx Black Versa fine

Distress Stains: Worn Lipstick ad Aged Mahogany

CS: White, Pretty in Pink and Strawberry Slush from Stampin' Up

Pink Ruffled Ribbon

Pink Rhinestones

Make It:

• Make a card from Pretty in pink CS and add a layer of Strawberry Slush ( a reddish pink color)
• Make the Houndstooth Background using the Blended Stains Technique from the Artistic Effects CD--using stain colors listed above
• Trim background; wrap ribbon around and add to card

• Stamp Hang In There Cat on Strawberry Slush CS with Onyx Black ink
• Add to card with dimensional adhesive

• Stamp sentiment on Pink CS and layer with black CS 
• Add to card with dimensional adhesive
• Add three rhinestones

Now head off to  Sally Lynn's blog to check out  her lovely project!!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are enjoying the hop!!

Design Team Blog http://techniquejunkies.blogspot.com
Judy Jackson http://judysstampart.blogspot.com
Karen McAlpine http://dreamingncreating.blogspot.com   ----You are Here
Sally Lynn http://www.sallylynnmacdonald.com

Marilyn Hughes http://DollsEtc.blogspot.com
Kathy Stacy http://craftynurse4u.wordpress.com
Jane Bosi http://janembosi.blogspot.com
Tonya Davidson http://stampintonya.blogspot.com
Beth Norman http://sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog
Pat Huntoon http://patstamps.blogspot.com

Check back later today for Lost Coast Designs February Challenge and Vintage Stamping February Challenge.  Have a super day!!!  Oh, and Happy February!!  Didn't January fly by??!!   Love ya!

Karen McAlpine

Dreamy Blue Lady with Lynne Perrella and Blockhead Stamps

Hi Dreamers!
Missed you!  I was a bit busy over the weekend.  Spent a great day with my dear friend, Laurie.  Spent the day catching up and having a nice day!  So, now I am back and ready to get some blogging done.  Let's get all dreamy here in Dreamland today.  I have used a Lynne Perrella (Paper Artsy) stamp set that is available in the USA from Blockheads Paper Arts!

Materials List:

Stamps:

Pacific Queen Paper Artsy

Dream Sentiment-Verses Full Sheet from Blockheads

Ink:

Tuxedo Black Memento; Faded Denim  and Spun Sugar Distress; Blue Pigment

Distress Stains: Faded Denim 

Clear Embossing Powder

Black Bakers Twine

CS: blue, white and black

Instructions:

• Make a card  from blue CS and layer with black CS
• On white CS, stamp the Lady with blue pigment ink and heat emboss with clear powder
• Swipe the Distress Stain along the edges of the stamped piece
• Add a little Spun Sugar Distress ink to the cheeks.  I just used my finger to apply the ink.

• On White CS, stamp the banner from the Pacific Queen set with Tuxedo Black ink
• Cut out the border
• Stamp the word Dream with Faded Denim Distress ink on white CS and cut out in the shape of a banner flag; distress with the same ink
• Add the banner to the card with dimensional adhesive
• Glue a piece of bakers twine onto the banner
• Stamp sun with Tuxedo Black ink and add with dimensional adhesive

I went a bit crazy on the inside of the card!  I think I can still write a short note if I use a black pen.  LOL

• Stamp the Lady with Faded Denim stamping off once;  apply the Faded Denim to the edges.  
• Stamp the suns with Tuxedo Black ink stamping off once
• Layer with Black CS

Inside

Love these Lynne Perrella images!!  Check out the rest of the stamps on the set!  Just so cool!

I would like to enter my Dreamy Banner Lady in the Paper Artsy Blog Challenge!!
Paper Artsy: use Paper Artsy Stamps, Fresco Paints, Wood or Paper Mache 
Take a Word: vintage Beauty
Tomorrow I will be back with something fun from Lost Coast Designs!  See you then. Love ya.
Karen

Ready For Take Off -Steampunk Owl with Blockheads Stamps

Hi Dreamers!
Back today with a bit of whimsy.  To finish up our month of travel themed projects on the Blockheads Design Blog, I have made a fun card using one of my favs--the Steampunk owl from Blockheads Stamps.  He is ready to take off in his magical flying machine for places unknown!  I added a shimmery background  with some metallic distress stains.  

Materials List:

Blockhead Stamps: Steampunk Owl from Fringe Folktales set

Flyer from Victorian Inventions

Dot from Retro Shapes

Inks: Onyx Black Versa Fine; Black Soot and Frayed Burlap Distress ink

Distress Stains: Brushed Pewter Metallic and Pumice Stone

CS: white, Kraft, gray textured, Glossy Black

Watercolor Pencils

Black Wire

Black Brads

3-D Zots

Instructions:

• On a piece of Kraft CS, stamp the Flyer with Onyx Black ink
• Add shadowing under the Flyer with Pumice Stone Stain
• Add the shimmery sky above the Flyer with Brushed Pewter Stain
• Stamp the dots with Frayed Burlap Distress ink and distress edges with Black Soot
• Add to layer of glossy black CS
• Add brads to corners
• Add to gray card base with 3-D Zots

• On white CS, stamp the Owl with Onyx Black ink.
• Color with watercolor pencils
• Cut out the Owl
• Add to card with 3-D Zots
• Curl the wire and tuck under the Owl and sticking it into the 3-D Zots to secure

Oh, LOL.  Isn't this a fun card!?  Love this little Steampunk Owl!!

How about a few Challenges for my Steampunk Pilot:

Creative Moments: animals
Crafty Ribbons: one for the boys
613 Avenue: anything goes
Artistic Inspirations: fantasy
Creative Card Crew: masculine

Next month The Blockheads Design team will be working with Grungeboard.  Stay tuned for that.  I have some pins planned!  I hope you have a great day!!  Love ya
Karen

Faux Batik Technique with Blockheads Butterflies

Hi Dreamers!
Today, I have a pair of butterfly beauties to share with you.  I used a Faux Batik technique  to create the backgrounds.  The stamps are from Blockheads Stamps.

Materials List:

Stamps: Painted Butterflies from Blockheads Stamps

Inks: Coffee Archival, Versa Mark Embossing Ink

Antique Linen Distress Stain

Re-inkers: Scattered Straw, Tattered Roses, Vintage Photo Distress;

Rhubarb Stalk Memento, Cosmic Copper Brilliance

White Embossing Powder

Cardstock: White, Mustard, Tan, Brown

Metallic Rub Ons

Instructions:

• I used the technique outlined on the Blockheads blog.
• Scattered Straw and Tattered Rose are the re-inkers used in this sample.
• To add more depth to the butterflies, I stamped over the butterfly with Coffee Archival ink. 
• With a soft cloth wipe the ink off the embossed area.  A really cool shadow is left around the butterfly.

• I added a piece of lace, tulle, a sheer ribbon, and pearls for embellishments
• I rubbed the Metallic Rub Ons around the edges.

• The second card is made in the same way following the Faux Batik instructions.
• Vintage Photo re-inker and Antique Linen Distress Stain are used in this sample

• I added black lace, black tulle, sheer ribbon, and pearls for embellishments.

I hope you enjoyed all the Butterfly projects made by the Blockheads Design Team during the month of January!!   I know I enjoyed making mine and checking out the other great projects by the other Blockheads!!  For the month of February  we will be showing you all kinds of ways to use Perfect Pearls!  Blockheads has a new selection of single pots of Perfect Pearls to tempt you!!

I will start off the month with two Valentine's Day cards made with Sunflower Sparkle!!  Stay tuned for that on Saturday!

Wow, the weather here in Michigan is totally whacky!  50 degrees and rain.    Well, I hope you are having a great day in your little corner of the world.  Love ya.
Karen